#  >> K-12 >> Middle School

How to Make a Model of Pluto With a Basketball

Although Pluto was downgraded from a planet to a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in 2006, it will still be in the news in coming years. In the same year, NASA launched New Horizons, an unmanned interplanetary craft expected to fly by Pluto in July of 2015. That will be our first close look at the mysterious planet, which is believed to be a giant ball of ice surrounding a core of rock, as indicated by its bluish cast in photographs from the Hubble telescope. A model of Pluto can be built easily with a basketball and some basic craft supplies.

Things You'll Need

  • Plaster of Paris "bandages"
  • Bubble wrap
  • Spray bottle with water
  • Blue watercolor paint
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Dip Plaster of Paris strips in water and apply evenly to the top half of the basketball.

    • 2

      Immediately press bubble wrap to the surface to press "craters" into the model. Remove the bubble wrap in about a minute.

    • 3

      Allow the Plaster of Paris to dry, spraying lightly with water two or three times to slow down drying and prevent cracking.

    • 4

      Roll the basketball over, wet the Plaster of Paris strips and apply to the other half of the basketball.

    • 5

      Press bubble wrap into the Plaster of Paris and remove after one minute, and allow to dry, spraying lightly with water to slow down drying and prevent cracking.

    • 6

      Paint the model a light blue with watercolors to imitate the color of the dwarf planet and allow to dry. If the blue is too light, repeat the painting process.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved